Keyboard stops working (Flare 10)

[bgagne]

I've only recently started using Flare, but in the last month or so I never ran across this problem with Flare 9, but run across it multiple times per day with Flare 10.

My keyboard stops typing in Flare.

Sorry for the over-use of colour and italics there, but this is really very frustrating.

I can still use backspace, delete, and the arrow keys to navigate via the keyboard, but the keys that type something on the page do not work. [edit: I just found out I can type in annotations when I'm in this odd "mode"]

The only way to get out of this strange scenario seems to be to exit Flare and restart it. After the 5th time (now sixth as I confirmed things for this post) of doing this today, I'm really frustrated. (I've tried switching to the text editor, closing the currently open topic, switching to a different open topic, opening a new topic, none of these fix the problem.)

The thing that seems to trigger the issue is alt-tab between applications.

I nearly always switch applications by using alt-tab instead of dragging the mouse around the screen and clicking. I say the problem could be related to this because it tends to happen when I alt-tab back to Flare.

Has anyone else seen this issue?

(Note I'm not going to stop using alt-tab, it's a speedy habit I have. I try to stay on the keyboard whenever I can!)

[chunkee]

I am as well. It is intermittent. However, I click on a toolbar button and it seems to help without shutting down and restarting.

jC

[bgagne]

Ooh, thanks for the tip - I'll try that next time.

I'm pretty sure that I tried making something a bulleted list and that didn't fix it - but I'll try to find ones that do!

[bgagne]

I tried various buttons on the ribbon and local topic toolbar after the last lockup without success.

In case it makes a difference, I'm on Windows 7, 64-bit.

[jeff_japp]

This is so frustrating. I just submitted a bug ticket. FOr me, it seems to happen after copying and pasting text or importing an image.

I want to know if I can go back and use version 9 after I have done work in the project with version 10. FYI - I am also on Windows 7 - 64 bit.

[rob hollinger]

This appears to be an issue with .NET 4.0
If you upgrade to .NET 4.5 or 4.5.1, the issue appears go away.

[bgagne]

Thanks Rob!

I've installed .NET 4.5.1. I will report back tomorrow to let folks know if that resolved the issue for me!

[sdcinvan]

To be fair, after Flare v10 has completed the install wizard, it does warn about checking your .Net version. I have a feeling most people skim over this warning without much thought.

Rob,

Perhaps the developers could make this warning more obvious? Even better, why doesn't Flare actively check for valid dependencies?


Doing so in C++ is rather simple... outside in DOS, the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line can also query for which .NET is installed.

Just enter this into your DOS window:
wmic product where "Name like 'Microsoft .Net%'" get Name, Version

But fair warning... it may require a few minutes to complete the query. Just set it and forget it for a little while.

To successfully run Flare v10, your result should include:
Name Version
Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5.1 4.5.50938

[sdcinvan]

Another WMIC query that should present a faster reply:

wmic /namespace:\\root\cimv2 path win32_product where "name like '%%.NET%%'" get version

In this case, you should get the following back:
4.5.50938

OR any value 4.5 or greater.

[rob hollinger]

XP support is the reason for .NET 4.0 support. Anything below that and the install will require an update of the framework.
We are working on a fix for those who cannot upgrade to 4.5 which should be available in a few days.

Thanks for your patience and understanding.

[sdcinvan]

XP support is the reason for .NET 4.0 support. Anything below that and the install will require an update of the framework.
We are working on a fix for those who cannot upgrade to 4.5 which should be available in a few days.

Thanks for your patience and understanding.

Just curious, approximately how many Flare owners still require Windows XP compatibility?

Will you end Windows XP support around the same time as Microsoft, later this year.

[sdcinvan]

XP support is the reason for .NET 4.0 support. Anything below that and the install will require an update of the framework.
We are working on a fix for those who cannot upgrade to 4.5 which should be available in a few days.

Thanks for your patience and understanding.

Wait a sec... As of Flare v10, Windows XP support is already dropped (and rightly so).

"Windows 7 or Windows 8, 32 or 64 bit, including all required updates"
From: http://kb.madcapsoftware.com/default.ht ... ion|_____1

[bgagne]

FYI - Today, after the .NET update I haven't experienced any further instances of this issue.

Thanks again Rob!

[rob hollinger]

Just released an update that addresses this issue.
If you cannot get it through the application, here is a direct link to it.
http://downloads.madcapsoftware.com/fla ... _V1001.exe


As for XP, we will work on XP for this release. No decisions have been made yet for the future.

Thanks

[pdenchfield]

Hi Rob,

I am running into the keyboard issue with Flare 9 this morning, after activating Flare 10. I get the following error when I attempt to upgrade using the patch provided.

EDIT: I initially didn't have .NET 4.0. I have now installed .NET 4.5.1 and I'm still seeing the keyboard issue after restarting. I tried the patch again and received the same error as shown below.

Can you advise? I'm on Windows 7.

Thanks,
Pamela

[sdcinvan]

Hi Rob,
I am running into the keyboard issue with Flare 9 this morning, after activating Flare 10. I get the following error when I attempt to upgrade using the patch provided.

Hello Pamela,

"Flare 9"? This patch is for v10 only. The error you are seeing seems to imply that the patch cannot find Flare v10.

[pdenchfield]

Yes, the keyboard issue is happening in both Flare 9 and Flare 10.

[sdcinvan]

Yes, the keyboard issue is happening in both Flare 9 and Flare 10.

Just guessing but have you considered removing all Flare versions and all .Net versions, then...
1) Query using the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line instructions I posted earlier in this thread to confirm that .net is all gone.
NOTE: If you have multiple versions of the .net framework, I am hesitant to advise you to remove any version. Some software may be dependent on older versions. .Net is a very odd cookie!
In that case, 'I give up!' You might need to engage MadCap support.
2) reinstall the latest .net...
3) Query using wmic again to confirm that you have the correct version of .net installed
4) Install Flare

Wish you good luck in solving this problem. Please keep us updated.

[pdenchfield]

Thanks, sdcinvan. Following is the feedback from tech support. I don't need to import very often so I'll probably stick to this.

To resolve the behavior, please try running Framemaker as Admin before importing the Framemaker document into Flare 10.

To run Framemaker as admin:
1. Hold the Shift key + right-click on Framemaker > Run as Administrator.

[sdcinvan]

Thanks, sdcinvan. Following is the feedback from tech support. I don't need to import very often so I'll probably stick to this.

To resolve the behavior, please try running Framemaker as Admin before importing the Framemaker document into Flare 10.

To run Framemaker as admin:
1. Hold the Shift key + right-click on Framemaker > Run as Administrator.

Seems non-sequitur.

I never read anything in your posts about Framemaker.